Kano man arrested for tricking job seekers out of N40m

The Zone One Police Headquarters in Kano has arrested a man named Ali Mohammed, also known as Faragai. He is accused of cheating job seekers out of over N40 million by pretending to help them get government jobs.

Mohammed was taken into custody by officers from the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department. This happened after many people complained that he was taking money from them by falsely promising to secure government jobs.

A statement from the police was released on Wednesday. The Zone One Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Hussaini, shared details with PUNCH Online.

The statement said that initial investigations showed that Mohammed claimed to be a special assistant at the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board. He used this fake position to gain the trust of job seekers.

"Initial investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly presented himself as a special assistant in the State Universal Basic Education Board, Kano, and used the false identity to gain the confidence of prospective job seekers," the statement explained.

So far, more than 10 victims have come forward. The police found that Mohammed took over N40 million from these people.

"During the investigation, over ten victims have so far come forward. It was further discovered that the suspect collected over forty million naira from his victims," the police confirmed.

The statement also mentioned that Mohammed confessed to cheating more than 20 people. He admitted to making and showing fake appointment letters to some victims as proof of their supposed jobs.

"The suspect has also confessed to defrauding more than twenty persons and admitted to producing and presenting fake appointment letters to some of them as evidence of purported appointments," the statement noted.

The police have recovered some of the fake appointment letters as part of their investigation.

"Some fake appointment letters have been recovered as exhibits," the police said.

Mohammed is still in police custody. He will be taken to court once the investigation is complete, according to the statement.

The Zone One Police Headquarters warned the public about people asking for money in return for government jobs. They urged job seekers to check job offers through the right official channels before paying any money or giving personal documents.

This arrest shows the dangers job seekers face from those who take advantage of unemployment and the need for government jobs to trick people out of their money.